Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice
Prof. Name
Date
Disaster Recovery Plan
The city of Tall Oaks continues to face significant challenges in recovering from disasters due to existing disparities in socioeconomic status, communication gaps, and cultural barriers. These issues make it difficult to implement uniform emergency responses across all demographic groups. A successful recovery strategy must integrate healthcare protocols with public policy frameworks while reinforcing communication and coordination between interprofessional teams. In this plan, the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) model provides a structured guide to illustrate the interaction between disaster planning, equity in health services, and community engagement.
Cultural dynamics and income inequalities shape the community’s recovery capacity. In Tall Oaks, a population of approximately 50,000 individuals lives with a median income that is insufficient to meet basic living standards. Health literacy is low, and college-level education is not widespread, leaving many unaware of emergency protocols. Racial and ethnic compositions, such as the 25% Hispanic/Latino population, add complexity to outreach strategies due to language differences and varying degrees of trust in healthcare systems. Additional stressors include disability status, aging populations, and insurance gaps, all of which amplify the community’s vulnerability during emergencies.
Healthcare infrastructure often becomes inaccessible when disasters strike, particularly in areas like Willow Creek and Pine Ridge. People with disabilities or low incomes are frequently stranded, unable to reach medical facilities such as Red Oaks Medical Center due to limited transportation and road blockages. For effective disaster recovery, Tall Oaks must adopt a multifaceted strategy that includes inclusive communication, infrastructure reinforcement, and culturally competent service delivery across all emergency phases.
Determinants, Barriers, and Policy Roles
The interplay between social determinants of health and barriers to access in Tall Oaks creates systemic vulnerabilities. For example, low educational attainment lowers residents’ ability to understand disaster-related information, while limited financial resources restrict options for evacuation or temporary housing. Diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds necessitate a tailored communication system that incorporates cultural sensitivities and multiple languages. This ensures equitable access to critical updates and medical services during crises.
These interconnected elements affect community readiness and influence recovery durations. As Blackman et al. (2023) emphasize, when infrastructure fails, isolation increases for underserved groups, lengthening the recovery timeline and increasing health complications. Investing in community education and reinforcing healthcare access during disasters is essential. Policy measures must address both immediate and long-term recovery through inclusive urban planning, infrastructure development, and the prioritization of health equity.
Federal mandates like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act play a vital role. They ensure that emergency services comply with access standards and provide financial resources to states. CERC further supports these goals by promoting transparency and coordination between agencies. Policies under the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) allocate funding for both recovery infrastructure and healthcare delivery, especially in marginalized neighborhoods. Trace-mapping systems derived from public health methodologies will allow better tracking of aid effectiveness and resource allocation.
Communication, Collaboration, and Equity Strategies
To overcome communication challenges, Tall Oaks must integrate culturally sensitive and linguistically diverse strategies. Emergency shelters and hospitals should deploy staff trained in multiple languages and cultural competencies. Technologies like text alerts, bilingual signage, and community radio systems should be implemented to ensure all residents receive timely and understandable updates. As Bonfanti et al. (2023) highlight, trust and comprehension are core elements of disaster response success.
Promoting interprofessional collaboration further enhances disaster responsiveness. Linking healthcare professionals with social workers, emergency planners, and local organizations leads to improved service delivery and efficient use of resources (Yazdani & Haghani, 2024). Town hall meetings, surveys, and community leader involvement provide feedback loops that align services with actual community needs. Local participation also increases satisfaction and long-term recovery outcomes.
Failing to implement these strategies results in miscommunication, delayed healthcare, and eroded trust. Especially in flood zones or power outage scenarios, hospitals without multilingual staff or adaptive protocols face a higher risk of operational failure. By focusing on community partnerships, continuous training, and transparent communication, Tall Oaks can build a more resilient recovery system based on equity and inclusion.
NURS FPX 4055 Assessment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan
| Heading | Main Points | Action Items |
|---|---|---|
| Disaster Recovery Plan | Socioeconomic gaps, cultural barriers, and infrastructure damage hinder recovery. | Apply CERC framework; integrate communication and health strategies. |
| Determinants, Barriers, & Policy | Income, education, disability, and language limit access; federal laws support inclusion and funding. | Enforce ADA standards; utilize Stafford Act and DRRA for equitable recovery resource allocation. |
| Communication & Collaboration | Multilingual services, cultural competency, and teamwork enhance outreach and trust in affected populations. | Train staff; partner with community groups; build inclusive systems for disaster communication. |
References
ADA. (2025). Health Care and the Americans With Disabilities Act. ADA National Network. https://adata.org/factsheet/health-care-and-ada
Bailie, J., Matthews, V., Bailie, R., Villeneuve, M., & Longman, J. (2022). Exposure to risk and experiences of river flooding for people with disability and carers in rural Australia: A cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open, 12(8), e056210. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056210
Bhugra, D., Tribe, R., & Poulter, D. (2022). Social justice, health equity, and mental health. South African Journal of Psychology, 52(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/00812463211070921
Blackman, D., Prayag, G., Nakanishi, H., Chaffer, J., & Freyens, B. (2023). Wellbeing in disaster recovery: Understanding where systems get stuck. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 95, 103839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103839
Bonfanti, R. C., Oberti, B., Ravazzoli, E., Rinaldi, A., Ruggieri, S., & Schimmenti, A. (2023). The role of trust in disaster risk reduction: A critical review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010029
NURS FPX 4055 Assessment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan
Capella University. (n.d.). RN to BSN: Online bachelor’s degree. Capella.edu. https://www.capella.edu/online-nursing-degrees/bachelors-rn-to-bsn-completion/
CDC. (2025). Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication (CERC). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cerc/php/about/index.html
Horn, P., Lindsay, D., & Adams, E. (2021). The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 (DRRA): Implementation update tables for select provisions. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R46774
Kristian, I., & Fajar, M. (2024). Integrating community-based approaches into national disaster management policies: Lessons from recent natural disasters. International Journal of Law Review and State Administration, 2(4), 115–125. https://doi.org/10.58818/ijlrsa.v2i4.150
Sheerazi, S., Awad, S. A., & von Schreeb, J. (2025). Use of mobile health units in natural disasters: A scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12067-9
Vandrevala, T., Morrow, E., Coates, T., Boulton, R., Crawshaw, A. F., O’Dwyer, E., & Heitmeyer, C. (2024). Strengthening the relationship between community resilience and health emergency communication: A systematic review. BMC Global and Public Health, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s44263-024-00112-y
Yazdani, M., & Haghani, M. (2024). A conceptual framework for integrating volunteers in emergency response planning and optimization assisted by decision support systems. Progress in Disaster Science, 24, 100361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2024.10036